06 December 2010

I spent much of the weekend finishing up my annual service project. Making movies and burning CDs took up so much space on my hard drive, I couldn’t download this week’s snowflake pictures! I didn't have room for any more photos on my laptop. So I’m tardy in publishing today's pattern, but there will be times like this when I can’t get the snowflake pattern posted in the wee hours of Monday morning. I promise, though, I'll always try to get a new flake up each Monday.

I’ve been wanting to convert a snowflake into a Christmas bell for several weeks now, and I’ve been searching for something I could use to shape the bell during stiffening process. I finally settled for a small water balloon because nothing else in the house fit the shape I could see in my head.

You may do whatever you'd like with snowflakes you make from this pattern, but you may not sell or republish the pattern. Thanks, and enjoy!

Make magic ring, either way leaving long tail you will use at end of project to attach jingle bell. (This pattern works better with magic ring.)

Round 1: If using ch start instead of magic ring, 12 dc into 1st ch. If using magic ring, ch 2 (does not count as dc); 12 dc in ring, sl st in starting dc. Pull magic circle tight.
If you're not reading this pattern on Snowcatcher, you're not reading the designer's blog. Please go here to see the original.

Round 2: Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc in same dc, * sk 1 dc, 2 dc in next dc, ch 2, 2 dc in same dc; repeat from * around 4 times, 2 dc in same dc as starting ch 3, 1 dc in 3rd ch of starting ch 3 (counts as ch 2, and you will be crocheting around the dc post in next round).

Round 7: Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), 2 dc around post of final dc of Round 6, *1 dc in next dc (or starting ch 3 that counts as dc), 1 hdc in next dc, 1 sc in next dc, 2 sc in next ch 3 sp, 2 sc in next ch 3 sp, 1 sc in next dc, 1 hdc in next dc, 1 dc in next dc, 3 dc in next ch 2 sp, ch 3, 3 dc in same ch 2 sp; repeat from * around 4 times; 1 dc in next dc, 1 hdc in next dc, 1 sc in next dc, 2 sc in next ch 3 sp, 2 sc in next ch 3 sp, 1 sc in next dc, 1 hdc in next dc, 1 dc in next dc; 3 dc in same sp as starting ch 3 and 2 dc; ch 1, 1 dc in 3rd ch of starting ch 3 (counts as ch 3, and you will continue Round 8 crocheting around dc post just made).

Round 9: Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), 2 dc around post of final dc of Round 8, *1 dc in next dc (or starting ch 3 that counts as dc), 1 hdc in next dc, 1 sc in next dc, 2 sc in next ch 3 sp, 1 sc in middle of next 4 sc, 2 sc in next ch 3 sp, 1 sc in next dc, 1 hdc in next dc, 1 dc in next dc, 3 dc in next ch 3 sp, ch 3, 3 dc in same sp; repeat from * around 4 times, 1 dc in next dc, 1 hdc in next dc, 1 sc in next dc, 2 sc in next ch 3 sp, 1 sc in middle of next 4 sc, 2 sc in next ch 3 sp, 1 sc in next dc, 1 hdc in next dc, 1 dc in next dc; 3 dc in same sp as starting ch 3 and 2 dc; ch 1, 1 dc in 3rd ch of starting ch 3.

Round 11: Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), 2 dc around post of final dc of Round 10, *1 dc in next dc (or starting ch 3 that counts as dc), 1 hdc in next dc, 1 sc in next dc, 4 sc in next ch 3 sp, 1 sc in middle of next 4 sc, 4 sc in next ch 3 sp, 1 sc in next dc, 1 hdc in next dc, 1 dc in next dc, 3 dc in next ch 3 sp, [ch 3, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook, ch 5, sl st in top of dc, ch 7, sl st in same dc, ch 5, st st in same dc, ch 3, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook] (3-tip picot made), working into main body of bell again 3 dc in same sp; repeat from * around 4 times, 1 dc in next dc, 1 hdc in next dc, 1 sc in next dc, 4 sc in next ch 3 sp, 1 sc in middle of next 4 sc, 4 sc in next ch 3 sp, 1 sc in next dc, 1 hdc in next dc, 1 dc in next dc; 3 dc in same sp as starting ch 3 and 2 dc; repeat [ ] 1 time; sl st in 3rd ch of starting ch 3; bind off. Weave in finishing end only. Pull starting tail through top of bell to outside.

Finish: Tape wax paper or plastic wrap to top of empty pizza box. Blow up water balloon to snuggly fit inside bell. Pin bell to box on top of wax paper or plastic wrap with balloon inside bell. Secure as necessary.

Mix a few drops of water with a teaspoon of glue in small washable container. Add a bit of glitter and stir. Paint bell with glue mixture, taking care not to stiffen tail that jingle bell will hang on when finished. (I stiffened the end of the tail to make it easier to string beads.) Wash paintbrush and container thoroughly. Allow bell to dry at least 24 hours. (I removed the bell from the pizza box before it was completely dry so I could shape the petals with more gentle curves than I could form on the box.) Remove pins. Gently peel bell from wax paper or plastic wrap. Pop the balloon. You shouldn’t have to peel too much rubber from the inside of the bell; the popping does most of the work for you.

Gently pull tail back through top center of bell to inside. String beads onto tail if desired. Tie a jingle bell to string so jingle bell hangs right in the middle of bottom of bell, bottom of jingle bell showing, not entirely below bell, and not hiding inside bell.

Tie ribbon in bow, leaving large loop. Attach either bow or top of loop to bell, according to personal preference, whether you like the bow on the bell or on top of the loop. If you sew ribbon loop onto bell, bell is now ready to hang. If you glue ribbon loop to bell, allow to dry thoroughly before hanging.

24 comments:

I just wanted to let you know your snowflakes have been an inspiration and a blessing this holiday season. With money in short supplies; thread, starch and my mothers gift of teaching me the art of crochet while I was young have allowed me to decorated a beautiful tree as well as give amazing gifts to family and friends that will be cherished for years to come. Thank you for sharing your beautiful patterns.

Your patterns are beautiful and are hanging all over my tree this year. I already have requests from non-crafty friends for a few :) I was wondering, have you have ever designed a tree topper? I think a big snowflake/star would be just right for my tree ;)

Your work is amazing and I just can't wait to make this one. I just have to run to Wal Mart to get some bells. My daughter-in-law loves the ones I have made her. I am making them for all my friends now. I have managed to keep a few for my own tree!

Thank you so much for sharing your awesome talents with us! I just placed my snowbell on our tree(already covered with snowflakes designed by you), and mailed out my Christmas cards, each of which contained at least one of your snowflakes. Because of your generosity, I was able to give gifts this year when money is so tight.

I love these bells, thank you so much for posting the pattern. I couldn't track down suitable water balloons in my bit of the UK, but found a tennis ball covered with clingfilm and sitting on a suitable sized section of cardboard tubing did the trick.

I think this is absolutely gorgeous and I would love to make them for my family, but I'm not very adept at following patterns. (I'm new to this and very slow going). I seem to be having a problem with Round 2 (I know so early in the pattern. lol)

If I have 12 DC and the next row is to basically use 1 stitch, skip one and then use one stitch per each round of the next * to * five times it seems to add up to 7 stitches. What do I do with the other five?

I hope I explained the problem I've been having, I do think this is one of the most elegant patterns I've found. And thats very hard to say after seeing so many of your other patterns. lol

I'm not sure I'm understanding how you are coming up with 7; I will take a couple more photos of an unstiffened bell I have at home tonight and share a link here tomorrow (Friday) to see if that helps. If not, you may have to email me so I can try to figure out what's happening.

The picture helps SO much. I was missing the skip between 2dc, ch2, 2dc. So I was essentially doing four dc in one and then in the very next stitch attempting to do another four without a skip between.

I attempted another one of these, messed it up and had to pull it out, lol. But I'm going to keep trying until I get it right, it's too pretty not to.

Whew! Thanks, Cally, for letting me know. I've been thinking about you all weekend and wondering if what I did was enough to help you get through the project.

Good for you for keeping on trying! If you knew how many times I had to rip some of these out before I could make the thread look like what I could see in my head, well, you'd probably laugh! Never give up! The best things in life are worth working for!

HI I have just started the bell flake and think I can see why Cally had a problem. I think you need to move the * on round 2 to before sk1 dc or it doesn't read right. I love all your patterns and have made lots of flakes for presents this year. Thank you. Stephanie

Thank you, Stephanie! I made the change, and I also updated the format, which I hope makes the pattern easier to read. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to do that! (I've been trying to update all the patterns, but it's a tedious and time-consuming process, complicated by lousy internet access.)

Dusty words lying under carpets,seldom heard, well must you keep your secretslocked inside, hidden deep from view?You can talk to me... (Stevie Nicks)

All spam is promptly and cheerfully deleted without ever appearing in print.

I apologize for turning off anonymous posting for a while. Too much garbage coming through; hope to get anonymous comments turned back on after a short break. If you don't have a Google account and need to contact me, please use the email address in the sidebar. Thank you!

Contributors

Webmaster

Thought for the Day

Visits, by request...

2015 on Two Wheels

2015 High Roller

Multiple Sclerosis fund-raising for 2016 is online, and the 2015 pdf snowflake pattern booklet is DONE!!!

The PDF booklet is available only via tax-deductible donation made here. More information about this year's fundraising and PDF booklet is available here.

Dieter and Wolfgang

Heels Over Head

The story of a serious automobile accident 16 years ago and how I finally got back behind the wheel, after battling six months of crippling fear, to continue the photographic journeys you enjoy every weekday here on Snowcatcher.

Stalk me!

Follow Me

The Hunt

Trekking

Stuff I Ramble About

Copyright

All content of this website, including text and photographs, is the sole property of Deborah and Brett Atkinson (unless otherwise stated). Nothing may be copied or reproduced in any manner without written consent. All rights reserved.

Dreamland

Disclosure of Material Connection

Snowcatcher does not receive compensation for content on this blog, and Snowcatcher has no material connection to brands, topics and/or products mentioned herein. Snowcatcher has no monetary interest in products or services featured, photographed or used here, although Snowcatcher does independently sell Snowcatcher photography and crafts via third-party websites.